On October 26, Life Pacific University celebrated the resounding success of its first McPherson Preaching Institute (MPI) Preaching Conference, which gathered hundreds of pastors, church leaders, and ministry students from across the world. The MPI Preaching Conference had global reach with attendees from Europe, Africa, and across the United States through offering all sessions in 3 languages – English, Spanish, and ASL. All this makes the conference a landmark event for preaching-centered professional development and a testament to the power of unity in ministry.
The MPI Preaching Conference, hosted by LPU’s McPherson Preaching Institute, aimed to create a transformative space for leaders in Christian ministry to grow and deepen their preaching skills while fostering an atmosphere of collaboration. With Foursquare President Randy Remington as the keynote speaker, the conference included a lineup of workshops led by renowned Foursquare preachers like Pastor Jerry Dirmann, Pastor Mario Barahona, and Dr. Doretha O’Quinn. The speakers focused on providing attendees with practical insights, innovative techniques, and inspiring reflections on the art of preaching.
“We are thrilled by the turnout and the feedback from our attendees,” said Dr. Tim Lee, Chair of Ministry and Theology at LPU. “The MPI Preaching Conference was designed not just as a learning opportunity, but as a means to foster unity among church leaders who are passionate about their call to preach. Seeing so many come together—whether here on campus or online—is a powerful reminder of the shared mission that binds us.”
President Randy’s keynote sessions highlighted the importance of preaching in a way that is rooted in the Word of God – letting Scripture influence our preaching rather preaching influence Scripture. All the MPI Preaching Conference speakers effectively empowered attendees on how to preach toward unity, especially in this divisive world.
Workshops delved into the practical and theological facets of preaching, exploring everything from sermon structure and delivery to engaging diverse audiences in a multicultural world. Each session encouraged open dialogue, allowing pastors and leaders to share insights and experiences that reflected their unique congregational challenges and victories.
Online participants found the conference equally enriching, with a livestream offered in real time. This hybrid model allowed the conference to reach pastors and leaders who couldn’t attend in person, extending the MPI’s vision of uniting Christian leaders globally to further the art and impact of preaching.
Dr. Jeff Tolle, the Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry at LPU, also shared his thoughts on the significance of the conference, saying, “The inaugural MPI Preaching Conference was a resounding success! The overwhelming positive response has shown us that the need for preaching training from a Pentecostal perspective is great. We are looking forward to continue to build the McPherson Preaching Institute and can’t wait for next year’s conference!”
The success of this inaugural conference has sparked plans for future MPI gatherings and resources, reinforcing LPU’s commitment to equipping ministry leaders with tools that are both spiritually enriching and practically applicable. Through events like these, Life Pacific University continues to fulfill its mission to empower pastors and leaders to impact their communities in meaningful, lasting ways.
As the MPI Preaching Conference concluded, attendees departed with renewed vision and a toolkit of strategies to enhance their preaching, fueled by a strengthened sense of purpose and community.
